Selective control device



March 9, 1 93 7.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1934 March 9, 1937. R. T. Fox ET ALSELECTIVE CONTROL DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1934 March 9,1937. R. T. Fox ET AL SELECTIVE CONTROL DEVICE Filedmay 15, 1954 4sheets-sheet s March 9, 1937.

R. T. FOX ET SELECTIVE CONTROL DEV'ICE Filed May 15, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet4 REG AuT

Vernon I. Hallett :inventor K. Cttornegfs/ Patented Mar. 9, 1937 PATENTOFFICE SELECTIVE CONTROL DEVICE Richard T. Fox and Vernon I. Hullett,Louisville, Ky.

Application May 15, 1934, Serial No. 725,790

9 Claims.

The present invention relating as indicated to a selective controldevice, is more particularly directed to a means for controlling aseries of circuits in a pre-arranged manner, both as to the particularcircuit and the period of time that such circuit is controlled. It is tobe distinctly understood that the device is not limited to use inconjunction with a radio receiving set and that a radio receiving systemis used merely as an example of one Wayin which the present inventionmay be used.

The invention is especially adapted to operate lighting systems as of anairport or building, and it will control bell signal systems and changeelectric signs, such as an electrical flashing clock.

It is also designed to control a plurality of electrical circuits orfurnish a plurality of mechanical impulses on a pre-arranged schedule.

Heretofore radio receiving sets have been oper- 0 ated manually in amanner that requires the attention of an attendant every fifteen orthirty minutes.

'I'he present invention has particular applicability to restaurant usageWhere it is desired to have a rather lengthy sequence of musicalprograms. As stated previously, heretofore, in order to receive suchprograms it has been necessary to tune the set every fifteen or thirtyminutes, but this invention is designed to overcome this difliculty andmakes it possible to manually set the condenser of a radio receiving setto the desired wave lengths, and at the same time to accurately time thereception so as to receive desired programs. Stated in other words, itis an object of our invention to make it possible to pre-set a radioreceiving system so that the condenser will be mechanically actuated fora deflnite period of time through a desired sequence of programs.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims; the annexed drawings and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain mechanism exemplifying thisinvention, such disclosed mechanism constituting, however, but one ofvarious applications of the principle of this invention.

In said annexed drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation taken immediately behind the panel of aradio set, showing certain parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation With certain parts in section of the deviceapplied to an ordinary radio set;

(Cl. Z50-20) Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section through the clutchmechanism for the condenser;

Fig. 4 is a partial section of Fig. 5, taken on line 4 4;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the discs l, shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a partial plan View taken from below Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a plan View taken from above the brush shaft 21 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a plan view with parts in section taken on a variable line inFig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the panel of a radio set embodying thepresent invention.

The present invention is designed for use with l5 a conventional radioreceiving set and is very small and compact. It is placed preferablyimmediately beneath the condenser of an ordinary radio receiving set.However, the exact location is immaterial and the terms above and beloware used merely as an aid to description and not in any sense aslimiting terms. The term synchronous rotor is also used in the samesense and is the equivalent of the term clock or any clock-likemechanism. 25

The device is composed of several portions which will be treated underseparate headings and mainly consists of means for automatically settinga frequency dial, which shall be termed automatic frequency dial forconvenience, in a 30 pre-arranged sequence of wave lengths havingvariable time periods.

Briefly, the device consists of means including a clutch for actuatingthe condenser of a radio receiving system automatically through adesired 35 sequence of programs. inasmuch as this result is dependentmainly upon a series of discs, such discs will be first described.

Setting discs 40 Referring now to Figs. 2, 4, 5, and 6, it will be seenthat a plurality of conductive discs I are each composed of twosubstantially semi-circular elements 2 and 3 having their straight edges4 and 5 bevelled and slightly spaced so as to be 45 in overlappingrelation, yet making no electrical contact. These discs preferably havetheir peripheral edges milled in order to prevent slippage. Thesemi-circular elements 2 and 3 are assembled upon Vhubs 6 of insulatingmaterial with 50 brass bushings 1 inside and with rings 8 of conductivematerial around the outside of them, which bushings are in turn looselyjournalled in spaced relation upon a shaft 9 as shown in detail in Figs.4, 5, and 6. At one of the two 55 r movement.

peripheral points where the semi-circular elements overlap, a notch vI9is formed by removing material from each element, thus breaking thecontinuity of the circumference. On a squared shaft I4, parallel to thedisc shaft 9, a roller I is mounted so as to move longitudinally thereonfor registration with the periphery of any of the discs I to impart tothe latter a rotational movement about the disc axis upon turning of thesquared shaft I4 by means of the knob 5I mounted thereon at the front ofa suitable panel 48. Parallel to the squared shaft is' double spirallygrooved rotatable shaft I6 con-v nected through gears D, C, and B withshaft G. This shaft is movable manually since it is provided With a knob2U at the front of the panel.

The shaft IB carries a travelling nut I1 provided with a fork 22 whichengages a grooved circular collar 23 fixed to the roller I5, as shown inFig. 8. Thus, when the double spirally grooved shaft I6 is rotated inone direction its nut I1 moves longitudinally through the length of thegrooved portion of the shaft I6, then returns carrying the roller I5 onthe squared shaft I4 through a like When the roller comes intoregistration with the periphery of the desired disc l,

the squared shaft I4 is then rotated to moveA formed in the discs I whenthey are neutrally disposed, is a travelling brush 25 carried by a nut26 on a threaded shaft 21, which shaft is rotated as a function of time,as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. The nut also slidably travels along shaft 21awhich'prevents rotation thereof. When the discs are in any but neutralposition, the travelling brush 25 electrically engages one ofthesemicircular elements 2 or 3, each disc I having one segment alwayselectrically connected with the disc shaft 9 and the other segment witha collector ring 8 and a stationary brush 28. Brushes 28 are set withenough pressure on rings 8 to prevent any disc being moved by frictionbetween it and adjacent discs. The manual setting assembly, namely, thedouble spirally grooved shaft I6 and the squared shaft I4 forpredetermining time and angular displacement respectively, has acounterpart for reversing these movements, termed for convenience,threaded power shaft and squared power shaft (see Fig. 8). The threadedpower shaft 29 carries a travelling nut 36 which is provided with abifurcated element 31 for engagement with a roller 38, mounted forVlongitudinal movement on the squared power shaft 30. The threaded powershaft 29, as well as the travelling brush shaft 21, is driven by asynchronously operating rotor 35, imparting uniform longitudinal motionto the power roller 38 and to the travelling brush 25. Thus the roller38 and brush 25 simultaneously and sequentially engage the various discsI so that when the brush 25 completes a circuitV through one of thesemi-circular elements 2 or 3 to a reversible motor 39 mounted on thesquared power shaft 30, the power roller 38 is rotated, andcorrespondingly rotates the particular disc I, until the notch I0arrives opposite the travelling brush 25 and the motor circuit isbroken,

The driving means for simultaneously actuating the shafts 21V and 29comprise a, synchronous rotor 35'which may be of conventional design andneed not be shown in detail. The casing for such rotor is designated 35and in order to avoid confusion the mechanism within the casing is Ashaft 55 driven by means within the casing 35 projects rearwardlytherefrom, as shown in Fig. 2, and has mounted thereon a pinion 33meshing with large gear 32 that in turn meshes With the small gear 3lmounted upon .shaft 21, and the small gear E on shaft 29, therebyproducing uniform movement of both shafts 21 and 29.

Travelling brush The travelling brush shown in detail in Figs. 2 and 7is composed of a travelling nut 2.6 with arm II insulated from it andextending downwardly, hinged on a pin perpendicular to the direction oftravel so that it may swing through a small arc in the plane ofdirection of travel. It is centered vertically downward by a spring (notshown). This arm II is of proper dimension to contact the discs I whentheir notches I0 are moved from the neutral position and to slip throughtheir notches when in Vneutral position. Projecting from this arm at itshinge, at an angle of slightly less than 90, areY two arms I2 and I3.When the vertical arm II cornes in contact with the side of a disc I itis caused to lag behind its center position, thus pushing one of the twoarms I2 or I3 upward against one of two spring contacts I8 and I9 in thetravelling nut 2E. This completes an electrical circuit between the discI and the travelling nut 26, thence through shaft 21 to power. Thespring contacts I8 and I9 are adjustable so that contact is completedjust when the center of the hinge of the vertical arm II'is over thecenter of the disc I, travelling either Way.

The motor 39 has two sets of field coils for reversing rotation, one setbeing connected to one group of semi-circular elements through sliprings 8 and brushes 28, the other set being connected to the other groupthrough the disc shaft 9. The travelling brush 25 is common to bothfield windings as it engages only one semi-circular element for any onesetting. It is to be understood that means other than a motor may beused and that the particular drive from the motor to the various shaftsmay be changed for equivalent devices.

Pre-setting means of the discs rI in setting. Having teethon part of theperiphery of dial 2| prevents` notches in discs I being turned more than177 from their neutral positions. Another dial 42, marked with equallyspaced numerals from one up to the number of discs used and with anextra suitable space marked between the highest number and one, isconnected through the medium of what is termed a Geneva movement, thatis slots 43 are engaged by the finger on plate 44. Shaft G may berotated manually by means of a knob 20,

and the small gear B on such shaft rotates small gear A which is fixedon shaft K to which plate 44 is also attached. Likewise, gear C, mountedupon stub shaft H, is rotated inasmuch as it meshes with B and then Crotates shaft I6 by means of D. Thus, every time the shaft G receives animpulse the setting roller I is moved to engage the next disc I. As thesetting mechanism operates from opposite ends of the device eachsuccessive whole operation while the double spirally grooved shaft I6 isalways turned in the same direction, this numbered dial 42 indicateswhich disc I is engaged, counting them from the end at which settingstarted. The extra space between the highest and lowest numerals isprovided so that the double spirally grooved shaft may be turned enoughafter the highest number shows to bring the setting roller out past thelast disc after setting, allow for lost motion at the end of thedouble-spiral groove, and bring the setting roller back in contact withthe disc when the number one shows. Two time dials 52 and 53, one toindicate the hour and the other fifteen-minute intervals, respectively,are geared in the proper relation to each other and friction driven withthe proper relation from the disc indicator dial 42 above described.They are provided with a manual setting knob 54, mounted upon shaft 51,and, in setting, after the disc indicator dial 42 has been brought toits number one position, they may be set to the time at which a desiredsequence of programs is to start, so that thereafter they will indicatethe time being set for.

Movement of the dials 52 and 53 is obtained through the medium offriction wheel 5U that peripherally engages the inner annular surface 56on dial 42. The friction wheel 50 is fixed upon shaft 51, and the gear58 is likewise fixed upon this shaft. Movement of gear 58 is translatedinto movement of hour time dial 52 through gear teeth, as shown in Fig.1, and at the same time movement of fifteen minute time dial 53 isobtained through pinion 60 on shaft 1I, which shaft has small gear 59mounted thereon in mesh with the teeth of disc 53. Thus, it will be seenthat as the dial 42 rotates, the time dials 52 and 53 arecorrespondingly rotated. l

The dial 6|, Fig. '7, of 180 arc marked with properspaces from zero atits middle upward toward each end, has one end connected to a rod 62 inturn connected to the ends of two levers 63 and 64, one near each end ofthe device pivoted so that their opposite ends 65 Vand 66 lie in thepath of the travelling brush nut 26 as it nears the end of any operationin either direction. This dial 6I is held at its zero position by aspring 61 and the levers 63 and 64 are so placed that as the travellingbrush passes the contact point at which the last disc on either end isoperated it will begin to displace one of the levers turning the dial 6Ito indicate how many minutes must elapse before the synchronous rotor 35would bring the travelling brush 25 backward to that same point when therotor is started in the opposite direction. Also, marked on each side ofthe zero point of this half-dial 6I is a curved arrow, as shown in Figs.1, 2, and 9, which indicates in which direction the starting knob shouldbe turned to start the rotor for the next operation of the device. Sincethe direction of travel of the travelling brush 25 and power roller 38depends on which way the synchronous rotor 38 is started these curvedarrows and the double sprally grooved setting shaft I6 with its discindicator dial 42 provide means for utilizing the device from eithrend,all discs having been realigned inl their zero position during thepreceding operation. It is not necessary to know in which direction thedevice is being operated.

A double throw single contact switch 68, similar to a telephone switch,in the power supply source of the synchronous rotor 35 has its lever 69located with respect to the rod 62 that transmits the motion between thelevers 63 and 64 in the path of the travelling brush nut 26 and halfdial 6|, so that when the travelling brush nut 25 reaches a suitablepoint near either end of the threaded shaft 21 on which it moves, thecircuit through the synchronous rotor will be broken and the devicestopped. This switch does not affect the operation of the radio set.

The position of the travelling brush 25 in terms of time until the nextoperation will start is then indicated on the half dial 6I. Thisposition may be adjusted and the device thus set to begin operationafter arcertain elapsed time by turning the synchronous rotor throughits manual starting knob 16 or other knob geared thereto.

Condenser control The motion of the square power shaft 36 is applied tothe condenser shaft 40 of the receiving set by a revers-ely gearedconnection, such as gear 11, pinion 18, shaft 15, pinion 8D and gear 5I.Such gearing is shown in Figs. l, 2, and 8, as extendng through thesynchronous rotor casing 35, but it will be understood that it actsindependently and may, if desired, be brought around such casing. Thearrangement as shown merely affords amore compact device.

A special type dial including a clutch, provides for disconnection andindependent operation of the receiv`ng set from the device at thispoint. This clutch, as seen in Fig. 3, consists of two discs 32 and 4i,one (4I) being fastened tightly to the condenser shaft 46, the other(82) being connected with the gear 8l by a sleeve integral therewithhaving a projection 84, said sleeve being loosely journalled on thecondenser shaft, and said projection being received in a slot 85 insleeve 86 connected to gear ,8|. The rectilinear position of the drivinggear is fixed; the jointed sleeve permits the rectilinear position ofthe adjacent disc 82 to be changed without breaking its connection withgear 8|. A coiled spring 81 on the sleeve presses the rubber face 83 ofthe movable disc 82 against the axially fixed disc 4l. A shaft 83projecting through the panel I5 ending in a suitable knob 89 outside anda ball bearing 90 in the end resting against the 4rrlovalole disc 82operates against this spring to separate the discs 82 and 4l. Rotationalmotion of the knob is translated into axial motion of the shaft when thefrequency dial 4I is mounted parallel to the panel I5. If the frequencydial is placed perpendicular to the panel, the same shaft may terminatein an eccentric pin working n a grooved collar at the disc end of thecoiled spring. With the former placing of the dial, the shaft 8Bprojects through an arcuately shaped hole 9| in the Xed disc or dial 4I,such hole being disposed around its shaft through an arc long enough topermit 180 turning of the condenser shaft and dial. The knob 89 isappropriately mark-ed, as shown in Fig. 9, to indicate regular orautomatic tuning. When the discs 82 and 4I are pressed together, theautomaticde- -dial and condensers operate.

vice tunes the set, when they are apart, as vshown in Fig. 3, it canbetuned manually; Y

The movable disc 82v is slightly smaller in diameter than the-axiallyfixed disc 4|.. This provides clearance and the axially fixed disc. 4|has a short pin 91 perpendicularly mounted to the face of such disc. Atoggle switch 98, Fig. 1, parallel with the master switch of thereceiving set, has its lever 99 ending in a fork |00, one side longerthan the other, so disposed near the edge of the disc 4| that the pin 91in passing will catch in the fork |00 and throw the switch to its olfposition, when the pin will be between the forks of the switch so thatwhen the disc is turned in the opposite direction the switch will beturned on. The switch 98 and pin 91 should be so disposed that thisoccurs preferably near one end of the through which the frequencySuicient space should be marked with the word off on the frequency scaleto provide for the operation of this switch. By eliminating stops fromcondensers and gearing dials 2| and 4| with proper ratio to discs it ispossible to provide for tuning to full 180. The pin 91 and the word offwill ,then be placed past the end of the frequencyl scale.

peratzon Suppose that it is desired to bring in the following successionof programs: 5:30 to 6:15- WLW; 6:15 to 6:30-silent; 6:30 to 6:45-WSM;6:45 to 7:00-silent; 7:00 to '7:30-WTAM; '1:30 to 8:00-WHAS; 8:00 to8:30-WMAQ. The master switch of the receiving set is turned off and theclutch knob 89 is turned to automatic, Suppose that the frequency dials2| and 4| are marked off in kilocycles from left to right and that thedial 4| is now at 900 kc. Set the auto.- rnatic frequency dial 2| to thesame setting, turn the automatic time set knob 20 until the numeral oneappears on the disk indicator dial 42, and while holding knob 20 turnthe time dials 52 and 53 to indicate 5:30. Turn the automatic frequencyknob 5| until '700 kc. appears on the automatic frequency dial 2|. Thisadjusts the first disc from its neutral position counter-clockwisethrough a proportionate angle. Then turn the time set knob 54 until 6:15appears on the time dials. Turn the automatic frequency knob 5|, movingthe automatic frequency dial 2| clockwise to the limit of its rotation,where off appears. 'Ihis adjusts the fourth disc from its neutralposition clockwise through a proportionate angle. Turn the time Vsetknob 54 until 6:30

appears on the time dials 52 and 53 and turn the automatic frequencyknob; 5| until 650 appears on the automatic frequency dial. This adjuststhe fifth disc from its neutral position counterclockwise through aproportionate angle. Turn the time set knobuntil 6:45 appears on thedials and turn the automatic frequency knob until off appears on theautomatic frequency dial. This adjusts the sixth disc from, its neutralposition clockwise through a` proportionate angle. Setting for the restof the programs continues in like manner until all available discs havebeen used and the letter X appears on the disc indicator dial 42.Assuming, for example, that it is now 5:21 and as the rst program is tostart in nine minutes turn the synchronous rotor starter 10 until theligure 9 appears on the start indicator dial 6|, then give the starter atwirl inthe direction indicated on that dial.

amaai? The operation of the device will now be followed. Y

Although the master switch of the radio re,- ceiving apparatus has beenturned off the switch 98 operated by the dial 4|, connected invparallel, is on. as long as this dial indicates a frequency. Theapparatus, therefore, continues to operate at its setting of 900 kc. Ifit is desired that the apparatus be silent until 5:30, both frequencydials 4| and 2| are turned to the off position, and the radio set willturn on automatically when the first program is selected.

The synchronous rotor 35 turns the two threaded shafts 21. and 29 untilat 5:30 the travelling brush 25 and the power roller 38 simultaneouslyreach the operation point of the first disc I. This is when the hinge ofthe brush arm is directly above the center of the first disc Anelectrical circuit is completed through the travelling brush 25, theright half of the disc l, the stationary brush 28 tapping it, and eldcoil B- of the ,reversible motor 39. Y 'Ihe power roller 38 is thuscaused to rotate and correspondringly rotates the particular discclockwise through -an angle equal to its adjustment in setting, and thecondenser shaft 40 receives a proportionate angular adjustmentcounter-clock- WlSe'.

This is what has happened-the dials 2| and 4| having originally been setat 900 kc., the rst disc I was adjusted counter-clockwise through anangle proportionate to the difference on the dials between 900 kc. and700 kc. The power roller 38 now reverses that adjustment but gives anadjustment to the condenser shaft 40 identical in angle and direction tothat of the setting through reverse gears.

When the notch l0 of the first disc coincides with thearm 25 `of thetravelling brush the arm of the brush dropsl into it and the circuit isbroken. The travelling brush 25 and power roller 38 move on to the leftas viewed in Fig. 2. As the second and third discs were left in theirneutral positions the arm of the brush passes through their notcheswithout completing a circuit. When the brush 25 and roller 38 reach theoperating point of the! fourth disc at 6:15 a circuit is completedthrough the brush 25, the left side of the disc, the disc shaft 9, andfield coil A of the motor 39. 'I'he power roller 38 reverses theadjustment given to the disc in setting, as above, turning it through anangle proportionate and with opposite direction to the difference on thedials between '700 and off, This adjustsl the condenser shaft 40 throughan angle identical in degree and direction to that through which theautomatic frequency dial 2| and the fourth disc were adjusted insetting. This causes the pin 91 on the frequency dial 4I to operate theautomatic switch 98, turning off the set. The yfourth disc is returnedto its zero position, the brush arm 25 falls into the notch I0 and thebrush and power roller 38 move on until at 6:30 they reach the operationpoint of the fth disc. (The distance between. operation` points of twoadjacent discs is called an interval and the travelling brush andpowerroller traverse an interval in exactly fteen minutes.) 'I'hecondenser shaft 40 now receives an adjustment identical in direction anddegree to the differenceon the dials between off and 650. This was thesame adjustment given to the automatic frequency dial 2|, and fth discin setting.

` Suppose that it is nowwishedl to interrupt` the predeterminedsequeneeof frequencies for some other frequency later decided upon. Turn theclutch knob 89 to regular and tune the set as desired. If a frequencythat lies in a portion of the dial mark oif is desired, turn on themaster switch of the radio set. (This operation can be combined withthat of the clutch knob.) To resume the prearranged sequence turn thefrequency dial 4l of the set to the frequency arranged for at that timeand turn the clutch knob 38 to automatic,

The travelling brush 25 and roller 38 move on through a completeoperation, adjusting the condenser shaft as described above, and bringall discs back to their neutral positions. At the end of the operationthe travelling brush presses against the lever 65, causing the half-dial6| to be displaced from its zero` position. This continues until the rod62 of the start indicator is moved far enough to move the toggle arm 69of the double throw switch 68 from its central on position, when thecircuit through the synchronous rotor 35 is broken and the device stops.The receiving set is left in the status achieved by the last disc.Obviously, this can be off if desired.

In combination witha cam or combination of cams the device will operatelighting systems as of an airport or building; will control bellV signalsystems;` will change electric signs as of an electric flashing clock;will control a plurality of electrical circuits or furnish a pluralityof mechanical impulses lon a pre-arranged schedule. The length of theinterval in time may be Varied.

Variations A variation of the device is formed by governing the powersupply so that the square power shaft and the power roller are driven atconstant speed. The degree through which the discs` are displacedifromtheir neutral position will then supply the time element and thedirection of displacement will supply a choice between circuits. rFnesynchronously operating rotor is eliminated and for it isxsubstitutedeither (a) a constant pressure as that given by a spring forcing a brushof solid construction to pass through the notches in the discs as theyare returned to their neutral positions by the power roller (which ismoved simultaneously with the brush), or (b) a spring-opposedelectro-magnet on each end of the assembly to operate alternately onwhole successive operations of the device, pulling the travelling brushand power roller towards them through one interval each time the circuitis broken by the turning of a notch to zero position.

This variation permits greater flexibility in the period of time anyelectrical circuit is held closed but sacrifices the degree ofindividual setting. The lattercan be supplied outside the device bymeans of rheostats or by combination with the device as described in therst part.

1. If the surface of the shaft on which the discs are assembled is builtup of insulated segments, each tapped, and the stationary brushes varetapped, .a choice will be afforded between a plurality of circuits eachtime the stationary brush and power roller engage a disc, and the samecircuit will be kept until the power roller, now time controlled,returns the disc to its neutral position. These taps from each disc canbe made available to a plurality of jacks, each part of the circuit orcircuits to be controlled.

2. If the choice desired is between timed operation of only twocircuits, or elements, the circuits between the stationary brushes andiield coil B of the motor and between the disc shaft and eld coil A ofthe motor can be used.

Under application (1) this variation can be used to control either bydirect electrical contact a moving object such as a robot, a ship, anairplane, a torpedo, directing it through a planned maneuver. Inconjunction with radio remote control it can be made to control a groupof such units, putting them through a planned maneuver, permitting exactcharting and planning of a. contemplated movement based on calculationsof speed and drift with allowance for influence of external forces. Itcan also be made to control bell signal systems, airport or plantlighting systems, or any multiplicity of electrical circuits.

Under application (2) this variation is especially adaptable to theoperation of safe combinations, as in the opening of a number of safesin branch banks from a central point.

Conclusion It will now be seen that the present device when applied to aradio receiving set will automatically complete the power supply sourceto the set and will tune the set to predetermined frequencies or turn it01T or on all at predetermined times. That the setting of the device toaccomplish this purpose requires no more time than would be consumed insetting the apparatus in the ordinary way. That the setting of thisdevice is accomplished by turning knobs outside the panel of the setwithout the necessity of getting inside to adjust complicated mechanism,

and that this setting is a simple combination as i of an ordinary radioreceiving apparatus in conjunction with a clock. That it requires lessskill and effort in use than any other existing device that willaccomplish the same purpose. I'hat it is simpler and cheaper inconstruction and easier to maintain than any other such device. That itcan be attached to any radio receiving set merely by substituting itsspecial type dial for the orthodox dial on the condenser shaft of theradio set. That in order to accomplish its purpose it does not change ortap in any way the electrical circuits within the radio set (it may usecurrent from the set to light its dials as is customary in orthodoxradio sets.) That it takes up a smaller amount of space per unit of timeover which it will function than any other such device. That the lengthof time over which it will function is limited only by the number ofdiscs, additional discs and stationary brushes and a lengthening of thelongitudinal parts being all that is necessary to increase the time ofoperation. That after each operation it is ready without preliminaryadjustment, to be set for the next operation. That it is not affected bytemperature changes. That it will set` the condensers at any anglewithin their normal range of operation, so that the choice of possiblefrequencies is limited only by the capacities of the set. That it willselect such frequencies as have been arranged for with extreme accuracylimited only by the accuracy of the manual setting operation. That afterthe device has been set and started no further attention is requiredduring the time of its operation. That a radio receiving set to whichthe device is attached may be operated independently of the device bysimply turning a knob. That a pre-arranged program may be interruptedand resumed during the operation of the device. That a single frequencymay be held without interruption for any multiple of fifteen minutesWithin the limits of the device.

Other modes o f applying the principle of our invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the-mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of thefollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as ourinvention:-

1. In apparatus of the character described in combination, a radioreceiving system and a `tuning-mechanism therefor, means manually ac- 2.In apparatus of the character described inv combination, a radioreceiving system and a tuning mechanism therefor, means manuallyactuated to time said system to a pre-arranged sequence of Wave lengths,and means mechanically actuated to tune said system to a correspondingvsequence of wave lengths,V said mechanical means including a series ofdiscs having peripheral recesses therein, there being manual and powermeans for rotating said discs, said power means including athreadedshaft, a square shaft and a roller slidably mounted thereon. 3.In apparatus of the character described in combination, a radioreceiving system and a tuning mechanism therefor, means manuallyactuated to time said system to a pre-arranged sequence of'wave lengths,and means mechanically actuated to tune said system to a correspondingsequence of wavelengths, said mechanical means including a series ofdiscs having peripheral recesses thereinQthere being manual and powermeans for` rotating said discs, said manual means including a doublespirally threaded shaft and a squaref'shaft with a roller on said squareshaft for sequentially engaging each'of said discs in said series ofdiscs.

4. In apparatus of the character described in combination, a radioreceiving systemV and Va tuning mechanism therefor, means Vmanually ac`tuated to time said system to a pre-arranged sequence of wave lengths,and means mechanically actuated to tune'said system to a correspondingsequence of wave lengths, said mechanical means including a series ofdiscs having periph# eral recesses therein, there being manual and powermeans for rotating said discs, said manual tuated to time said system toa pre-arranged se- Y Vaora/4.17

`quence of wave lengths, and means mechanically actuated to tune saidsystem to a corresponding sequence of wavelengths, said mechanical meansincluding a series of discs having peripheral recessestherein, therebeing manual and power means for rotating said discs, saidpower meansincluding a threaded shaft and a square shaft with a roller mountedon'said square shaft for engaging the discs in said series of discs in adesired sequence.

6. In apparatus of the character described in combination, a radioreceiving system and a tuning `mechanism therefor, meansmanually actuated to time said system to a pre-arranged sequence of wave lengths, andmeans mechanically actuated to tune said system to a correspondingsequence of wave lengths, said mechanical means including a series 4ofdiscs having peripheral recesses therein, there being manual and powermeans for rotating said discs, said power means including a `threadedshaft and a square shaft with a roller mounted on said square shaft forengaging the discs in said series of. discs in a desired sequence, and anut on said threaded shaft for moving said roller longitudinally of saidsquare shaft.

7. In an apparatus of the character described in combination, means formanually tuning a radio receiving system, and mechanical means fortuning said system, said mechanical means including a series of discssupported on a disc shaft, a square manual setting shaft, a sp-irallygrooved shaft, a square power shaft and a threaded shaft, all of saidshafts extending substantially parallel l to each other.

8. In apparatus ofthe character described in combination,.a radioreceiving system and atuning mechanism therefor, means manually actuatedto time said system to a pre-arranged sequence of wave lengths, andmeans mechanically actuated to tune said system to a correspondingsequence of wavelengths, said mechanical means including a series offdiscs having peripheral recesses therein, and a travelling brush mountedabove said discs, said brush being movable upon a member extendingtransversely to said discs and passing through said recesses during`such movement. Y

9. In apparatus of the character described in combination, a radioreceiving system and a tuning mechanism therefor, means manuallyactuated to time said system to a pre-arranged sequence of Wave lengths,and means mechanically actuated to tune said system to a correspondingsequence of wave lengths, said mechanical means including a series yof,discs having peripheral recesses therein, and a travelling brush mountedabove said discs, the path of travel of said brush extending through theperipheral recesses in said discs when such recesses are aligned at thetop of said discs, said brush being secured to a screw threaded nutmounted upon ra rotatable screw threaded shaft.

RICHARD T. FOX. VERNON I. HULLETT.

